Piano keyboard



Jullie 19, 1951 J. H. REUTHER 2,557,690

PIANO KEYBOARD Filed April 5, 1950 INVENTOR. `JOHN H. REUTHER ATTORNEY Patented June 19, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in piano keyboards.

The deficiencies embodied in the standard piano keyboard are well known, and in the past numerous attempts have been made to produce new keyboards which overcame the defects and deciencies of the standard piano keyboard. However, such improved keyboards have met with little or no success for the reason that the standard piano keyboard has become so well known that the resistance to change is too great.

In my prior invention on this subject, covered by U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,203,393, patented June 4, 1940, I have constructed the theoretically ideal keyboard. However, this keyboard has met with little success because of the great resistance to the change from the standard keyboard already mentioned.

This invention particularly proposes the conn struction of a new piano keyboard which is substantially identical to the standard piano keyboard and yet embodies several important changes which eliminate the main defects of the standard piano keyboard. With my new keyboard it is not necessary to relearn the lingering of the notes. standard piano keyboard can play on this new keyboard. For this reason the resistance to change will not be so great. lViy new piano keyboard eliminates one of the main defects of the standard piano keyboard, namely, that the black keys are not as wide as the white keys. Because of the narrowness of the black keys there is a tendency for the thumb (which is the pivot linger), to roll off the black keys, especially during the execution of an arpeggio. In fact, all piano text books try wherever possible to reroute the fingering so that instead of starting the arpeggios with the thumb on the black keys, the second finer is substituted and the thumb used only on the white keys.

It is an object of this invention to construct the new keyboard with the black keys as wide as the white keys and positioned midway between the adjacent white keys in the same relationship that they now hold in the standard piano keyboard. Of course, this construction eliminates the spaces between the black keys. This invention proposes the provision of a third row of white keys, higher` than the second row of black keys, and aligned with the rst row of white keys and selectively connected with and corresponding with the white keys of the iirst row in order to form rear striking surfaces for the rst row of White keys. It is pointed out that another Anyone who can play on a f end, ngers 1 and 5.

one of the bad features of the standard piano keyboard is the necessity of having to reach in between the black keys to strike the narrow areas of the white keys in certain lingering positions. Persons with large iingers nd it diiiicult to reach in between the black keys. Moreover, the touch of the white keys at this area is entirely different from the touch on the front striking surfaces of the white keys. It is pointed out that the hand is normally equipped with three long middle lingers and a short linger at each It is practical and convenient when spanning an octave with the rst and fifth fingers in one row to operate keys in the next higher row. On the standard piano keyboard this is practical if the irst and lingers span an octave on the rst row. With iny new keyboard it is now possible to have the same ease of manipulation in spanning an octave in the second row, that is, the black keys, because of the duplication of the first row in the third row. From the second row the lingers may easily reach forward to the third row, and in this way avoid the necessity of reaching in between the narrow spaces left by the narrow black keys in a standard piano keyboard.

It is another and important object of this invention to provide for the pivoting ci the third row of keys Vin a certain way in relation to the pivoting of the rst and second rows of keys so that touch and downward motion of all keys are equal.

Another object of this invention resides in a specific construction tor coupling together the rst and third rows `of keys in such a manner that they operate freely and noiselessly.

Still another objection of the invention is to provide suitable markers for the third row ci keys to guide a player in their proper selection. It should be understood that the white keys on the standard piano keyboard are identiiied only by their position with respect to the groups of two and three black keys. It is proposed that said markers be arranged in groups of two and three along the back edge of the third row of keys. This is advisable because while the hand is operating keys in the second row, the grouping of the black keys are more or less hidden by the hand.

Another object of the invention is the construe-- tion of a piano keyboard as described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For :furthe-L1 comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference ywill be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming 9, material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective View of an accordion provided with my new piano keyboard.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the brackets used in the connection between keys of the first and third rows.

My new piano keyboard includes a first row of adjacent white keys I0, and a second row of spaced groups of two and three black keys II. The black keys of each of said groups are adjacent each other and are as wide as said white keys and positioned midway between adjacent white keys. My new piano keyboard is identical in so far as note arrangement is concerned, with the standard piano keyboard. However I pro- VAvide a third row of white keys I2 higher than said second row of black keys II and aligned with said rst row of white keys III and selectively connected with their corresponding 'white keys of said first row in order to form rear striking surfaces for said first roW of white keys.

In the particular construction shown, the first row of white keys I@ and the second row of black keys II are pivotally mounted on a rod IQ eX- tended across from side to side of the frame I5 of the keyboard.` The front end of each key is urged upwards by a spring I5. A strip I'I mounted within the frame I5 limits the amount that the keys of the rst row may be depressed. Another strip I8 limits the amount to which the keys II of the second row may be depressed.

A horizontal partition 2!! is mounted across the ends of the frame I5 and is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots 2l in which the third row of keys I2 areset. A rod 22 is mounted across the ends of the frame I5 and through the slots'2I and the keys I2 for forming the pivots for the third row of-keys. An angle bracket 23 is attached by its bottom horizontal arm upon the inner end of each key III. Each of these angle brackets has its vertical arm 2t formed with a horizontal slot 25. Each key I2 is provided with a pin 26 which engages through the slot 25 of its corresponding bracket 23. Each key I2 is also provided with a resilient piece of wire 26',V or leaf spring, which engages the top edge of the arm 2@ of its corresponding bracket 23. The inner ends of the keys I t and I I support the usual valve stems 28 with valves 33 which operate upon the usual valve plate 29. A spaced group of two and three black markers 3U are provided for the third row of white keys I2 to show the relationship of the black keys to the first row of white keys. These spaced groups of markers 3h comprise serrations or projections from the front grille 32 or the accordion, or other instrument provided rwith the keyboard.

The operation and use of the new keyboard may be understood from the following:

Any one who canrplay on a standard piano keyboard is capable of playing on this new keyboard, and at the same time is not hampered by certain deficiencies of the standard keyboard. Since the black keys Ii are just as Wide as the white keys II! the tendency for the thumb t9.

roll off of the black keys is entirely eliminated. When the player strikes some notes in the rst rowl of white keys I he can conveniently reach back to strike notes in the second row of keys, namely, the black keys I I. When playing on the black keys I I the player does not have to strike between the black keys as in a standard keyboard, but may reach back to the third row of white keys I2. When reaching to the third row of white keys I2 the markers 2li show the relationship of the vblack keys to the white keys so that the player does not lose the identity of the White keys.

Moreover, and very important, the connection between the rst and third rows of keys are free and noiseless. The provision of the brackets 23 upon the inner ends of the rst row of keys Il] and the provision of the pins 26 engaging in the slots 25 is very important. With this arrangement the keys will work noiselessly. The resilient Wires 26 or leaf springs will maintain the keys in proper connected positions for all pivoted positions of the keys. will depress the same distance and under substantially the same pressures.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes coming within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A piano keyboard, comprising a rst row of V.adjacent white keys, a second higher row of spaced groups of two and three black keys, the black keys of each of said groups being adjacent each other and as wide as said white keys and positioned midway between adjacent white keys, and a third row of white keys higher than said second row of black keys and aligned with said first row of white keys, a bracket with a slot mounted on the inner end or" each key of said first row of keys, a projecting pin on the inner Y end of each key of said third row of keys, said projecting pins engaging in said slots for connecting corresponding keys of said rst and third rows of keys, a resilient element mounted on the inner end of each key of said third row' of keys, and each of said resilient elements engaging upon a different one of said brackets for steadying the pin and bracket connection of corresponding keys of said first and third rows of keys for all pivoted positions of said keys.

.2. A piano keyboard, comprising a rst row of adjacent white keys, a second higher row of spaced groups of two and three black keys, the black keys of each of said groups being adjacent each other and as wide as said White keys and positioned midway between the adjacent white keys, and a third row of white keys higher than said second row of black keys and aligned with said rst row of white keys, a bracket with slot mounted on the inner end of each key of said rst row of keys, a projecting pin on the inner end of each key of said third row of keys, said projecting pins engaging in said slots for con-v necting corresponding keys of said first and third rows of keys, a resiiient elen ent mounted on the. inner end of each key of said third row of keys, and each of said resilient elements engaging uponc al dliiferent one of said brackets for steadying the All of the keys pin and bracket connection of corresponding keys of said first and third rows of keys for all pivoted positions of said keys, said resilient elements comprising leaf springs.

3. A piano keyboard, comprising a rst row of adjacent white keys, a second higher row of spaced groups of two and three black keys, the black keys of each of said groups being adjacent each other and as wide as said white keys and positioned midway between adjacent white keys, and a third row of white keys higher than said second row of black keys and aligned with said rst row of white keys, a bracket with a slot mounted on the inner end of each key of said first row of keys, a projecting pin on the inner end of each key of said third row of keys, said projecting pins engaging in said slots for connecting corresponding keys of said rst and third rows of keys, a resilient element mounted on the inner end of each key of said third row of keys, and each of said resilient elements engaging upon a diierent one of said brackets for steadying the pin and bracket connection of corresponding keys of said rst and third rows of keys for all pivoted positions of said keys, said resilient elements comprising resilient pieces of wire.

JOHN H. REUTHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 449,756 Egan Apr. 7, 1891 888,100 Kuba May 19, 1908 1,576,004 Rosenberg Mar. 9, 1926 1,958,227 Barnett May 8, 1934 

